The smell of the grass, a beautiful pass, a stunning goal, running, laughing, and clapping for excellence – these are my favourite things about my favourite sport.

Whether playing, coaching, or watching, my happy place is on or near the soccer pitch. The sport goes beyond passion and is ingrained in the blood for so many of us around the world.

When I’m at the pitch all my stresses leave and I’m in a state of blissful joy. That’s not hyperbole either, that’s the legitimate inner peace I find.

The other night, while our girls were at practice, a bunch of us dads decided to gather on an open field next to theirs and get a 3 v 3 game going for a good hour or so.

It was so much fun: during a break a few of the girls glanced over, and my daughter mentioned on the ride home that “you looked so happy out there.”

Indeed, she was correct. It’s my happy place, my no worries zone, and in my forties, I no longer stress too much over wins and losses – at least not for myself (hehehe).

I just love the game. I clap for a good play by my opponents (even in my O45 men’s league), and I keep in mind that as much as I’ll try, I may not be able to physically play forever.

That realization allows me to enjoy each moment and opportunity to do keep ups, pass the ball with my kids, play a pick-up game, or don a jersey to represent my team.

I get more upset when my kids lose, or one of my favourite teams loses, than I do if I lose myself. Even then, that feeling is fleeting and I remember that there is always next game.

The love of being at the field is what gave me the drive to be a coach for over 16 years (sometimes coaching multiple teams in a season), and a board member of our local club for even longer.

I’ve organized the adult leagues, helped coordinate tournaments, planned travel for adults and youth, been the media and community face of Huntsville and Muskoka soccer for a decade, and been the lead on many administrative dealings as Vice President for the past six years.

And I did all of that as a volunteer: no one does all that unless they really love a sport.

I do love it and it’s my happy place that I want to share with all those who love it too.

Whether it’s the same as mine or a different one, I hope everyone finds their happy place to escape to and get as much joy from it as I do from mine.

That’s it for me! Ciao for Now!